College basketball is here. From Blue Devils to bracketology, Tar Heels to the tournaments, the next five months will not disappoint–culminating in perhaps the greatest tournament in sports. Here are my top 16 teams arranged by projected seed in the big dance:
One seeds
North Carolina-ACC
The Tar Heels enter the season as the number 1 team in both the AP and ESPN polls and with good reason. They return big men John Henson and Tyler Zeller and most importantly, player of the year candidate Harrison Barnes. Roy Williams has directed national champions before, so look for this veteran, star-studded team to be the favorites heading into March.
Player to watch: PG Kendall Marshall
As a freshman last year, he really heated up at the end of the season finishing with 6.2 assists per game. Don’t be surprised to see him in the All-American discussion.
Ohio State-Big Ten
Thad Matta and company earned a 2 seed last year, but will strive for the top behind forward Jared Sullinger, who dominated the Big Ten last year as a freshman.
Player to watch: PG Aaron Craft
This sophomore needs to step up and lead the team for a shot at the national championship. As one of the better defensive players on the Buckeyes, he’ll try and fill a hole vacated by David Lighty.
Kentucky-SEC
John Calipari has established a unique system of coaching–recruit the elite players to form one of the most talented teams in the country before they all leave for the NBA. Year after year, he develops a young team but they always seem to fall short of winning it all.
Game to watch: December 3rd vs. UNC
The winner here could establish themselves as the team to beat for the rest of the season.
UConn-Big East
Uconn is the defending national champions, but head into 2012 without star player Kemba Walker who left for the NBA. If a repeat is possible, it’ll be because Jeremy Lamb establishes himself as a top five player in college basketball.
Game to watch: UConn vs Syracuse on February 25th
The winner may earn the number 1 seed heading into the Big East tournament in this top tier end-of-the-season matchup.
Two seeds
Duke-ACC
They lose starters Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and number one pick Kyrie Irving, but don’t expect a rebuilding year on Tobacco Road. Brothers Mason and Miles Plumlee will dominate the low post while shooters Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins can light it up from the 3-point arc.
Player to watch: Austin Rivers
The young freshman will have to become an immediate scorer for Duke to reach the Final Four.
Vanderbilt-SEC
The Commodores aren’t your usual basketball powerhouse but might have the most reliable backcourt in the nation. Brad Tinsley, John Jenkins, and Jeffery Taylor all averaged double-digit points last year. The trio are all upperclassmen as well–a rarity in today’s game.
Player to watch: Forward Festus Ezeli–The Nigerian Center faces a 6 game suspension, but if he plays like last year upon return, (13 ppg, 6 rpg) Vandy will have a strong starting five.
Syracuse-Big East
Expect the Big East to have numerous teams with high seeds before teams such as Syracuse leave for the ACC. The Orange return four starters and will be led by seniors Kris Jospeh and Scoop Jardine.
Player to watch: Fab Melo
As a freshman last year, the 7’0 Melo disappointed. However, if he can reach expectations this season ‘Cuse will have a strong chance of winning the Big East.
Kansas-Big 12
Kansas only returns senior guard Tyshawn Taylor, but they should still be the kings of the Big 12. The biggest question for the Jayhawks is who can replace the Morris brothers in the frontcourt.
Game to watch: Kansas vs. Kentucky Nov. 15
Can the upperclassmen from Kansas school Kentucky’s young stars?
Three seeds
Louisville-Big East: Peyton Siva will make his case as Big East player of the year.
Florida-SEC: Guards Boynton and Walker will need to score plenty to make up for the loss of SEC player of the year Chandler Parsons.
Baylor-Big 12: The Bears may have the most athletic team other than Kentucky.
Pittsburgh-Big East: Coach Jamie Dixon and the Panthers will look to shake the label that they can’t win in the tournament behind the play of senior scorer Ashton Gibbs.
Four seeds
Wisconsin-Big Ten: The Badgers always seem to be in rebuilding mode but end up in the NCAA tournament every year. This season Wisconsin will look to rebuild their frontcourt, but some of that pressure will be lifted having a preseason All-American in PG Jordan Taylor.
Xavier-Atlantic 10: Consistently one of the best mid-majors, this year should be no different as Tu Holloway could put up 20 points per game.
Arizona-Pac 12: They’ll struggle without Derrick Williams, but if they can win the subpar Pac-12, they should manage a 4 seed.
Memphis-Conference USA: It’s now or never for 3rd year coach Josh Pastner (who replaced Calipari) as he returns three starters. Will we see Memphis in the Big East soon?